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I peer behind her, noticing the empty seat on the side of the table and walk in that direction. Noel must not have read all the place cards, otherwise she would’ve expected me.

Noel slips back into her chair at the same time I do mine. She’s trying so hard not to pay attention me, but let’s face it… Me in a tuxedo? Hard not to stare.

I almost look as good as she does in that red dress.

Okay, not even close. But I do clean up pretty good.

“So, Colby, no date tonight?” Gram asks from across the table. The others at the table stare at me, then at Gram.

“Nope, I’m part of the auction. So, no date for me tonight.”

“What do you mean, part of the auction?” Noel asks, finally meeting my gaze.

“You’ll see.” I wink. “Be sure to bid on me.”

She scoffs, even though she doesn’t know what I’m talking about. Noel has shields similar to mine, but where I act like a cocky, goofball… She pretends like she’s in control and knows everything. Actually, I think it drives her crazy when she doesn’t know something… and since she’s highly intelligent, that probably doesn’t happen often.

A server comes and places my meal in front of me, I’d already informed them I’d be late. But my half-sister, Ruthie, had her third birthday party tonight, and I wanted to pop in via FaceTime before coming to the gala.

I dig into my food right away, starving since we had a long practice this morning. Coach nearly killed us. I check my watch; I need to be backstage in twenty minutes. Maybe I can fit one dance in with Noel… but she’ll probably say no.

The rest of the guests at our table chat amicably, a few excusing themselves to dance. Noel’s voice is the one I zero in on, I’m not paying attention to anyone else. Even though I keep my eyes averted, I can hear her soft conversation with her grandmother. She’s sweet with her. Wish she was that way with me.

Quietly, I finally finish my food and check the time again. Thirteen minutes. Plenty of time for a dance. I stand and walk over to Noel and her grandmother. I know she senses my presence behind her, it’s in the way her spine straightens, the way her shoulders set, and how she stops talking abruptly.

I stretch my hand out toward Gram. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

Gram’s eyes twinkle for a second before she flinches and bends to rub her ankle. “Oof. I would… but my ankle has been giving me fits lately. Why don’t you ask Noel instead?”

I grin and turn to Noel. “It’s your lucky day, angel.” I don’t know why I provoke her this way… other than it’s fun. “Would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Noel’s lips set in a straight line; I can see in her eyes that her brain is working to come up with a reason to say no. But she waits too long to answer, and her Gram takes advantage of the opportunity.

“She’d love to! Go on. Don’t deny this poor, dateless chap.”

Noel’s head whips back in her Gram’s direction, I have an inkling she’s glaring at her now, not so sweet anymore.

I really like this Gram lady. She’s an awesome wingman. Er, wing woman… wing-grandma?

Gram and Noel have some sort of silent conversation where they just stare at each other, and only their facial muscles and eyebrows are ticking.

Noel must lose the silent battle, because she aggressively pushes out of her chair, almost making it topple over… again.

Women. Are. Fascinating.

The D.J. allows the current song to fade out, and a slow song swells through the speakers. I take Noel’s hand in mine, noticing her fingers are nearly as long as my own. Just like her height, her hands are perfect for me. I practically drag her onto the dance floor. She hedges, peeking over her shoulder to Gram. Gram rolls her eyes and makes a gesture with her hand that seems to say, don’t you dare leave that man alone on the dance floor.

While she’s distracted, I wrap an arm around her waist, allowing it to rest in the arch of her back. She looks up at me and I’m struck by her height again. I barely have to tilt my chin to look right at her, and that makes me want to release a contented sigh. There’s no straining my neck with Noel, I can gaze right into her caramel-colored eyes. She has to be around 5’10”. That makes her only five inches shorter than me.

Tall guys always go for the petite girls. But they’re really missing out. Honestly, the team P.T.s should warn the guys to find a partner similar in height, to save their necks… literally.

Speaking of necks, Noel is studying mine like it’s the most interesting neck in the world. She’s, once again, trying not to make eye contact. Her body is rigid in my arms.

“Why won’t you look at me?”

Her eyes finally flit up to meet mine. “If I make eye contact, I might turn into a pillar of salt.”

I nod. “Sodom and Gomorrah.”